IIHR targets import substitution in fruits and vegetables through local cultivation

ICAR-IIHR is developing planting material and supply chains for 20-25 under-cultivated crops, including avocado, dragon fruit, rambutan and mangosteen, aiming to reduce India’s dependence on imported produce over the next four to five years.

— Source publishedThu, 10 Sept, 2026, 20:26 IST·First seen Thu, 10 Sept, 2026, 20:35 IST·Source The Hindu BusinessLine

What happened

ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR) · IIHR is developing planting material and supply chains for under-cultivated fruits, aiming to reduce

Key facts

  • India fruit and vegetable imports rose from $1.78 billion in 2016-17 to $3.82 billion in 2025-26
  • Fruit and vegetable exports rose 1.46% year-on-year to $3.93 billion in 2025-26
  • IIHR is working with 20-25 under-cultivated crops
  • Commercial fruit production gestation period: 3-5 years
  • Import dependence could decline over 4-5 years

Why this matters

Retailers, wholesalers and foodservice groups can explore early partnerships with IIHR-linked growers, nurseries and aggregators to secure differentiated local supply and build private-label produce programs.

What to watch

  • Release and commercial availability of certified planting material for the targeted crops.
  • State-level acreage expansion, farmer adoption and survival rates for new orchards and vines.
  • Formation of collection centers, packhouses, reefer capacity and producer organizations near cultivation clusters.
  • Domestic wholesale price spreads versus landed import prices during peak and shoulder seasons.
  • Retail-grade rejection rates, shelf life and repeat purchase rates for locally grown exotic produce.
  • Import-duty, phytosanitary or trade-policy changes affecting imported fruits and vegetables.
  • Large retailer, quick-commerce or foodservice announcements of domestic sourcing partnerships.
  • Map imported fruit and vegetable SKUs by import value, seasonal demand, spoilage and domestic substitution feasibility.
  • Identify IIHR-linked crops with short commercialization cycles versus perennial crops requiring multi-year orchard development.
  • Create pilot grower contracts around regional consumption hubs, including quality specifications, packhouse access and buyback terms.
  • Develop dual-source procurement plans that retain imports for off-season continuity while introducing domestic harvest-window promotions.
  • Invest in grading, ripening, cold-chain handling and consumer education to prevent domestic exotic produce from being discounted due to inconsistent appearance or maturity.
  • Track whether domestic production can meet retail-grade consistency before replacing import contracts at scale.

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